Telangana High Court Extends Protection to T Harish Rao
The Telangana High Court has extended interim protection from arrest for former minister and MLA T Harish Rao. Justice Kunuru Lakshman, presiding over a single bench, announced on Monday that the interim order dated December 5 will remain in effect until January 9, 2024.
This decision stems from a criminal petition filed by Harish Rao, seeking to quash an FIR registered against him on December 3. The FIR (no. 1205/2024) included charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act, 2008. The complaint was filed by Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud, who alleged that Rao had orchestrated the illegal tapping of his and his family members’ phones through the SIB police. Goud had contested against Rao in the 2023 Siddipet constituency elections.
Senior counsel J Ramchander Rao, representing Harish Rao, argued that Goud is a habitual complainant who has filed multiple false cases against Rao due to his electoral loss. On the other hand, senior counsel Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the government, emphasized that the allegations of phone-tapping are serious and violate the Telegraph Act, amounting to an invasion of privacy.
The court adjourned the case to January 9 while maintaining interim protection for Harish Rao against arrest.
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Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar Seeks Quashing of Criminal Case
Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has filed a petition to quash proceedings in a criminal case (CC no. 281/2022). Justice Kunuru Lakshman, hearing the matter on Monday, issued notices to the government and the complainant, M Ram Babu, directing them to respond within two weeks.
The case involves allegations dating back to March 12, 2018. Kumar, along with other political figures, allegedly participated in a hunger strike outside the RDO office in Vikarabad without obtaining prior permission. The incident reportedly violated the model code of conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Subsequently, the Vikarabad police registered a case (crime no. 69/2019) under Section 188 of the IPC, and a charge sheet was filed in court.
Kumar, however, denied the allegations, claiming he did not take part in the protest. He argued that the complaint and witness statements do not constitute an offense and requested a stay on further proceedings in the case.
The hearing has been adjourned until after the Sankranti vacation.
